Method and machine for forming tubing



Ian. 30, 1951 A. E. cHERNAcK 2,539,814

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING TUBING Filed Oct. 23, 1946 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 hihih- By his affomeys MMM Filed Oct. 23, 1946 Jan. 30, 1951 A. E.' CHERNACK 2,539,814

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING TUBING 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 mill I /N VE /V TOR ABE/ E. CHER/VACK @y bis afameys Jan. 30, 1951 A. E. CHERNACK METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING'TUBING Filed 001'.. 23, 1946 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Il A lll.

ABEL EUHER/VCK @y his ah'arnays Ian. 30, 1951 A. E. cHERNAcK 2,539,814

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING TUBING Filed oct. 23, 1946 '7 sheets-sheet 4 l/V VE /V 7' OR ABEL E. CHER/WICK By his allo/nays Jan. 30, 1951 A. E. cHERNAcK 2,539,814

METHOD AND MACHINE Foa FORMING TUBING Filed oct. 23, 1946 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 /A/VENTOR ABEL E'. @HERA/Ack By his:4 @flor/nys Jan. 30, 1951. A. E. cHERNAcK 2,539,814

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING TUBING Filed Oct. 23, 1946 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 www Jan. 30,k 1951 A. E. cHERNAcK METHOD AND MACHINE Fox FORMING TUBING Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Oct. 23, 1946 ing tubing of the combined elements.

- the formationof the composite Fig. 8; the composite Patented Jan. 30, 1951 METHOD AND MACHINE FOR FORMING TUBING Abel E. Chernack, Bloomfield, Conn.; Mary Chernack, executrix of said Abel E. Chernack, deceased, assgnor, by mesne assignments, to Wiremold Company, Hartford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application october 2s, 1946, serial No. 705,039

This invention relates to methods and machines for making' tubing and more particularly flexible two-element tubing. It is an object of this invention to provide an improved method i of combining the elements composing the tubing and thereafter forming the tubing of the combined elements.

` It is also an object of this invention to provide a machine for continuously `combining the elements of which the tubing consists and form- It is a further object to provide improved mechanism of the aforesaid type which can be readily adapted for the making of tubing of different diameters or from elements of different dimensions. Another object is to provide in the aforesaid machine for delivery of the combined elements in a condition which facilitates the subsequent forming of tubing therefrom. Other objects ano advantages of this invention will become apparent as it is described in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view infront elevation of a tube forming machine in accordance with.v this invention;

- Fig. 2 is a view in rearelevation of the tube forming machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig 3 is a top plan view of the machine shown inFigs.1and2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken as on line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the mandrel supporting and operating means and the final pressure roller operating to join the tube edges;

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation, with some parts shown in section, of the structure shown in'Fig. 5, looking from the left in that figure;

Fig; 7 is a perspective view, partly broken away, showing the mechanism and various stages in strip into a tube by the mechanism;

Fig.y 8 is a top plan view of the mandrel and the guiding means for the composite strip, shown detached from the machine;

Fig. 9 is a view in front elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 8 looking towards the end of the mandrel; v

Fig. 10 isvavpartial central vertical sectional view of' the mandrel and work-guiding means of work strip being shown positioned thereon; f A, Fig. 11 is a'fragmentary detail view showing the manner of associating the parts of the composite strip; and

28 Claims. (Cl. 154-7) Fig. 12 is a group of cross-sectional views of the metal and fabric strips taken at approximately the positions indicated in Fig. 3 and showing the combining of the metal and fabric strips and the shape of the metal strip after the various operations occur.

In the following claims and description of the invention with reference to the drawings it will be understood that in referring to metal and fabric as elements of which the tubing is made there are included also materials equivalent to metal which takes a permanent set when bent, orequivalent to fabric which is flexible and which does not maintain a permanent set.

In forming a tube in accordance with this invention a suitable metal strip I is rst given a suitable shape to permit of its being attached to the edge of a suitable fabric strip 2. 'Ihe fabric strip 2 is then attached along one edge to the metal strip I. The metal strip I is then further shaped to permit of the fabric strip 2 being secured to the other edge of the metal strip I. 'I'he composite strip is then given a spiral shape on a suitable rotating mandrel and the free edge of the fabric strip secured tothe free edge of the metal strip. As shown in Fig. 12 the shaping of the metal strip and the combining of the fabric strip therewith is accomplished in several steps. The metal strip I has its opposite edge portions bent to a right angle With the central body portion of the strip in two steps as shown at positions A and B. One side portion is then bent inwardly to extend at an acute angle with theA body portion as shown at position C. The fabric strip 2 is then associated with the metal strip I by having an edge thereof inserted in the acute angle between the edge and body portions of the metal strip I, as shown at position D, and the edge portion is then pressed down until substantially parallel to the body portion,

as shown at position E, whereby the edge andA body portions of the metal strip engage the fabric strip and frictionally secure the stripsv together. The fabric strip is then guided to one side, as shown at position F, to leave clear the free edge of the metal strip which is then bent to form v an acute angle with the body portion of the ,metal strip, as shown at position G. The combined metal and fabric strip is then formed into a spiral on arotatingfmandrel bringing the free edges of the` combined stripadjacent to each other whereupon the. free edgeof the fabric is guided into the acute anglebetween'the edge vand body portions of the metal and the edge portion is pressed down to frictionally secure the edge of the fabric between the edge' and body portions of the metal.

A machine in accordance with this invention combines the fabric and metal strips into a combined strip and shapes the combined strip into a continuous tube in a continuous operation.

Such a machine comprises a suitable frame I having a top II on which is secured a bed plate I2. On the bed plate I2 is mounted a roll housing I4 in which are journaled the shafts for a plurality of pairs of cooperating rolls I6, Ilia. The pairs of rolls are arranged vertically with the upper rolls I6a being adjustably mounted in the housing for the accommodation of strips of different thicknessesgand to control the pressure of the rolls on the strip. The shafts for the rolls I6, I6a extend through the housing I4 and at the opposite ends have fixed thereon meshing gears I1, I1a, respectively, which ensure simultaneous rotation of the rolls I6, I6a. Journalled on stub shafts fixed in the housing I4 intermediate the gears I1 are idler gears I8 which mesh with adjacent pairs of gears I1 and complete the gear train driving the rolls I6, I6a.

To drive the rolls I6, I6a there is provided a motor mounted on the frame I6 and driving a pulley 22 on a shaft 24 by means of a belt 26. The shaft 24 is journalled in standards 21 mounted on the frame I0 and has fixed thereon a pulley 28 connected by a belt 29 to a pulley 30. The pulley 36 is journalled on a shaft 3| which is mounted in bearings 32 secured beneath the top II and arranged to be connected to the pulley by a clutch 33. 'I'he clutch 33 is arranged to be operated by a lever 34 pivotally mounted on a standard 35 carried by the top II. Fixed on the shaft 3I is a gear 36 which meshes with a gear 31 which is journalled on a stub shaft mounted in the bed plate I2 and meshes with an idler gear I8.

'I'he shaft for the roll I6 at the end of the roll train (at the left in Fig. 1), is made to project beyond the gear I1 and has fixed on its end a bevel gear 38 which meshes with a bevel gear 39 fixed on a vertical shaft 40 journalled in a bracket 4I mounted on the top I I. On the lower end of the shaft 40 there is fixed a gear 42 which meshes with a gear 43 fixed on a shaft journalled vin a bracket 44. The bracket 44 is secured to the top II by bolts 45 extending through slots 46 in the bracket and engaging in threaded openings in the top II so that adjustment of the position of the bracket 44 and gear 43 is possible. The gear 43 is provided with a wide face and meshes with a gear 48 fixed on the lower end of a vertical shaft 49 journalled in brackets 50, 5I, carried by a head 52. Fixed on the shaft 49 intermediate its ends is a bevel gear 54 which meshes with a bevel gear 56 fixed on a shaft 58 journalled in the head 52. The shaft 58 projects at the opposite side of the head 52 and serves to support and drive the mandrel.

'I'he head 52 is formed with a fiat face Vwhich bears against the flat face of a standard 60 to which it is secured by bolts 6I which extend through verticalLv extending slots 62 at the bottoms of grooves in the standard 60 and engage in threaded openings in the head 52. The wide face of the gear 43 permits of vertical adjustment of the head 52 and shaft 49 without interfering with the meshing of the gears 43 and 48. The standard 60 is secured to a base 65 which rests on the top II and is secured thereto by bolts 63 which extend through curved slots 64 in the base 65 and engage in threaded openings in the top I I.

Formed integral with the head 52 are the parallel side members 52a and 52h which project forwardly from the head 52 at opposite sides of the standard 68 and are provided with horizontal parallel slots in which are movably mounted the ends of a rectangular shaft housing 66. Journalled in the housing 66 is a shaft 68 which projects from both ends of the housing and has xed on one end thereof a roll 69 and on the other end a gear 10. The gear 10 meshes with a gear 1I journalled on a stub shaft 12 carried by a link 13 secured to the lower portion of the side member 52h by a bolt 14 engaging in a slot in the link 13 and a threaded opening in the side member 52b. Gear 1I meshes with a gear 15 journalled on a stub shaft in the head 52 and which also meshes with a gear 16 fixed on the shaft 58. Mounting the gear 1I on the link 13 permits of changing of the gear 18 so as to vary the speed ratios of the shafts 58 and 68. The shaft housing 66 is provided with a circular opening in which is mounted an annular bushing 18 having snugly tted therein the cylindrical lower end of a pin 19 having a flattened body portion snugly fitting a slot 88 in the upper portion of the side member 52h. At its upper end the pin 19 is attached to a plate 8I which rests upon the top surface of the side member 52b and is adjustably secured thereto by bolts 82 extending through slots 83 in the plate 8| and en- :raging in threaded openings in the upper'portion of the side member 52h. This method of securing the shaft housing 66 permits of adjusting the shaft housing in the slots in the side members 52a and 52h and also permits of a pivotal movement of the housing about the cylindrical lower end of the pin 19 as an axis.

The upper and lower portions of the side member 52a are grooved transversely to receive the edges of a plate 85 on which is mounted a spring housing 86 containing a spring 81 which projects through the plate 85 and bears against the shaft housing 66. The pressure of the spring 81 on the housing 66 can be adjusted by means of an adjusting screw 88 threaded into the outer end of the housing 86 and secured in adjusted'position by a lock nut 89.

The shaft 58 projects beyond the head 52 and has an end of reduced diameter, as at 58a, to receive thereon a mandrel 90 comprising sleeves 90a and 90b secured to the shaft 58 to rotate therewith and a ring 96c interposed between the sleeves 98a and 981) and arranged to rotate relatively to the sleeves 98a and 90b and shaft 58. Secured to the side of the head 52 and surrounding the mandrel shaft 58 is a guide block 92 having a surface 92a curving about the opening for the mandrel 90 in a spiral of the pitch of the spiral in which the metal strip of the tubing is to be wound. This surface extends for the major portion of a complete revolution and serves to guide and advance the metal strip as it rotates on the mandrel. Secured to the guide block 92 and substantially coextensive with the guide surface 92a is a guide plate 94 also curved to a spiral shape and positioned so as to engage the body portion of the metal strip. The guide plate 94 cooperates with the guide surface 92a in forming the metal strip into a spiral of the desired pitch by bending the metal strip to closely fit the curvature of the mandrel. Secured at one end to the guide block 92 by a bolt 95 is a metallic rib or guide strip 96 which forms an extension 'of the guide surface 92a and has its other end secured to the ring 90e. The guide strip 96 is stationary, being alxed to the stationary guide block 02. The guide strip 96 extends in a spiral about the mandrel 90 between the convolutions of the metal strip and serves to advance the tube along the mandrel as the mandrel rotates. The guide strip also serves as an abutment preventing the metal strip from moving sideways as the edge of the fabric strip 2 is guided-into the angle between the edge and body portions of the metal strip. The guiding of the edge of the fabric strip into the folded edge or angle of the metal strip is accomplished by a guide footl 91 on the bottom of a guide member 93 mounted on a bracket S8 carried by the guide block 92.

In forming tubing on a machine in accordance with this invention, a ilat metal strip l is fed from a reel (notshown) through a guide |00 to successive pairs of rolls which bend up the edge portions of the strip and then bend one edge portion towards the body of the strip. At this point,

a fabric strip 2 fed from a reel (not shown) through a guide i0| and around rollers H02 and |03 supported from the housing 'It is led through a'g'uide 10d which isl carried by a support 05 mounted on the housing i4. The guide i D4 holds the fabric strip 2 inclined to themetal strip i so that it is fitted into the acute angle between the strip body portion and its inclined edge portion. Thefollowing pair of rolls `presses down the inclined edge portion to frictionally secure the metal and fabric strips together.` A guide 106 carried by the housing lli then sweeps the fabric strip over the edge which it is secured and the following set of rclls presses the opposite edge portion inwardly to an acute angle with the body portion. The combined metal and fabric strip'is then fed to the mandrel v90 with the inner edge of the metal strip bearing against the spiral surface 92a of the guide block 92 and the guide strip 94 engaging the body of the metal strip centrally thereof and `bending it about the mandrel. As the first convolution ofA the combined strip is formed, the free edge of the fabric 2, as it reaches the mandrel, is guided by the guide foot 91 into the trailing folded edge,l i. e. the angle between the body portion of the metal strip and its inclined edge portion. The inclined edge of the metal strip is then pressed down by the roll 69 which presses upon the fabric stripI as it rests upon the edge portion of the metal strip.

In order to permitof the combined strip being` fed straight to the mandrel the head 52r is adin a straight line through the rolls and to the mandrel. As the diameter of the tube is changed it is necessary to vary the angle of the mandrel shaft axis to the strip axis` and for this purpose ing through the point of tangency what is claimed is:

1. In a tube forming inach'ine.v a rotatable mandrel shaft, spaced mandrel sections carried by said shaft, a non-rotating element interposed between said mandrel sections, and stationary guiding means encircling said mandrel and secured to said element to guide the convolutions of the tubing during the formation of the tubing.

2. In atube forming machine, a stationary head, a rotatable mandrel shaft mounted in said head, spaced mandrel sections carried by said shaft, a non-rotating element separating said mandrel sections, a guide block surrounding said `mandrel and secured to said head, said guide block having a spiral surface for advancing the tubing as it is formed on said mandrel, and guide means secured to said guide block and ring and spiralling about said mandrel, said guide means forming an extension of the spiralguide surface of said block and guiding the convolutions of the tubing during formation of the tubing.

3. In a tube forming machine, a frame, a head, a horizontal mandrel shaft rotatably mounted in said head, a mandrel xed onsaid shaft, strips foi' forming the tube being fed to said mandrel and head and means supporting said head for vertical adjustment on the frame,` and ,other means supporting said headfor rotational adjustment on said frame, whereby to obtain the correct angle of approach ofA said strips to. said head and mandrel.

4. In a machine for forming tubes from strip material, a frame, a head, a horizontal mandrel shaft rotatably mounted in said head, a mandrel fixed on said shaft about which said strips are wound, and means supporting said head on said frame for adjustment about avertical axis passe of` ,said mandrel and the inner edge of said strip.

5. In a machine for forming tubing from@ plurality of strips only one of which is capable of maintaining a permanent set, means for frictionally securing thelongitudinal` edge portion of oneJ strip to the longitudinal edge portion of another of said strips, means for forming a continuous helix of said combined strips,v means to fold and concomitantly to engage the free forward edge of the composite strip with the free edge in the previously formedconvolution of the composite' strip and means for r frictionally securing together the free 'edge portions of said strips while forming said helix and thereby forming tubing in which alternate convolutions are comprised of different strips. I

6. In a machine for forming tubing from a plurality of strips, means, for frictionally securing said strips together in parallel relation, means for coiling saidcombined strips in helical form,

the slots 64 in thebase 65 are formed on thearc y of a circle having its center o'n the vertical axis passing through the point of tangency of lthe inner edge of the metal 'strip with the mandrel (point i l0 in Figure 3) so that the angularposition of the mandrelv may be varied without changing this point of contact of mandrel and strip. i

Many modifications within the scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore the invention is not limited to the specific form and embodiment illustrated.

means to fold and conccmitantly. to 'engage the free forward edge of the composite strip with the free edge in the previously formed convolution of the composite 'strip and means for frictionally securing together the free edge portions of' said combined strips while coiling them and thereby forming tubing' in which lalternateI convolutions are comprised of different strips.

i 7. In `a vmachine for forming tubing 4from metallic and non-rnetallic flexible strips, means for frictionallyisecuring `a longitudinal edge portionof said flexible strip between alongitudinal edge and the body portions of said metallic strip, means for coiling said combinedvstrips inhelical form, -and means for frictionallysecuring the other longitudinal edge portion of said flexible head, a mandrel on said shaft, means for continuously forming tubing on said mandrel including a rotatable roll shaft mounted in said head, a roll on said roll shaft, pivot means positioning an end of said roll shaft, and means biasing said roll shaft and roll toward said mandrel.

9. In a tube forming machine, a stationary head, a rotatable mandrel shaft mounted in said head, a mandrel on said shaft, means for continuously forming tubing on said mandrel including a rotatable roll shaft, a housing for said roll shaft movably mounted on said head, means pivotally connecting said housing and head, a roll on said roll shaft, and means yieldingly forcing said roll towards said mandrel.

10. In a tube forming machine, a stationary head, a rotatable mandrel shaft mounted in said head, a mandrel on said shaft, means for continuously forming tubing on said mandrel including a rotatable roll shaft, a roll on said roll shaft, a housing for said roll shaft movably mounted on said head, means pivotally connecting said housing and head, means for adjusting the position of said pivot means, and spring means pressing said roll towards said mandrel.

l1. In a tube forming machine, a head, means y supporting said head for vertical and pivotal adjustment, a rotatable mandrel shaft mounted in said head, a mandrel on said shaft, a rotatable roll shaft, a roll on said roll shaft, a housing for said roll shaft movably mounted in said head, means pivotally connecting said housing and head, means yieldingly forcing said roll towards said mandrel and operating means for said shafts.

12. In a method of making a collapsible tube, the steps of combining a metal strip and a fabric strip along adjacent edges, conducting the combined strip along a spiral path for one convolution while leaving the free edge of the metal strip free, and then joining the free edge of the fabric strip to said free edge of the metal strip.

13. In a method of making a collapsible tub the steps of frictionally uniting a metal strip and a fabric strip along longitudinal edges, forming the combined strip'into a spiral, reversely bending the fabric strip and concomitantly inserting it under the free edge of the metal strip, and frictionally uniting the free edges of metal and fabric strips in adjacent convolutions.

14. In a method of making a collapsible tube, the steps of bending inwardly a longitudinal edge portion of a metal strip, frictionally securing a longitudinal edge portion of a fabric strip between said edge portion and the body portion of the metal strip, bending inwardly the other longitudinal edge portion of the metal strip, forming a spiral of said combined strip, reversely bending the fabric strip and concomitantly inserting it under the free edge of the metal strip, and frictionally securing the free longitudinal edge portion of said fabric strip between said inwardly bent free edge portion and the body portion of the previously formed convolution of said metal strip.

15. In a method of making a flexible tube, the steps of bending opposite longitudinal edge 8 portions of a metal strip at right angles to the body portion with the said edge portions directed in the same direction, bending one of said edge portions vinwardly towards said body portion, frictionally securing a longitudinal edge portion of a fabric strip between said inwardly bent edge portion and the body portion of said metal strip. bending inwardly the other longitudinal edge portion of said metal strip, forming a spiral of the combined strip and frictionally securing the free longitudinal edge portion of said fabric strip between the inwardly bent free edge portion and the body portion of the previously formed convolution of the metal strip.

16. In a tube forming machine, a head, a mandrel rotating in said head, means to guide around said mandrel a preformed strip the trailing edge of which is bent at an angle to the strip body, said guiding means and rotating ymandrel forming a convolution of said preformed strip, means to fold the forward edge of a strip of flexible material and concomitantly to insert it under the trailing edge of said preformed strip after the formation of said convolution, and means to frictionally secure together the edges, thus engaged, of said strips.

17. A tube forming machine as claimed in claim 16 wherein the means to frictionally secure the strips comprises a roll cooperating with the mandrel to press the bent edge of the preformed strip upon the inserted edge of the flexible strip.

18. A tube forming machine as claimed in claim 16 wherein the means-to frictionally secure the strips comprises' a roll cooperating with the mandrel to press the bent edge of the preformed strip upon the inserted edge of the flexible strip, a shaft on which said roll is mounted, and resilient means to press said roll toward the mandrel.

19. A tube forming machine as claimed in claim 16 wherein the means to frictionally secure the lstrips comprises a roll cooperating with the mandrel to press the bent edge bf the preformed strip upon the inserted edge of the flexible strip, a shaft on which said roll is mounted, means to pivotally support said shaft for lateral movement toward and from said mandrel, and resilient means pressing said roll shaft and roll t0- ward said mandrel.

20. A tube forming machine as claimed in claim 16 having stationary means encircling the mandrel to guide said preformed strip in forming its second convolution.

2l. A tube forming machine as claimed in claim 16 having a guide rib affixed at one end to said head and encircling the mandrel to guide said preformed strip during formation of its second convolution.

22. A tube forming machine as claimed in claim 16 wherein the means to frictionally secure the strips comprises a roll cooperating with the mandrel to press the bent edge of the preformed strip upon the inserted edge of the exible strip, and stationary means encircling the mandrel to guide said preformed strip in forming its second convolution.

23. In a tube forming machine, a head, a mandrel rotating in said head. means to guide around said mandrel a preformed strip of which the trailing edge is bent at an angle to the strip body,

' said guiding means and rotating mandrel forming a convolution of said preformed strip, means to insert the trailing edge of a strip of flexible material under the forward edge of the preformed strip prior to completion of said first convolution, means to guide the forward edge of said flexible strip and insertit under the trailing edge of said preformed strip after the formation of said rst convolution, and means to frictionally secure together said strip edges to form tubing continuously.

24. In a tube forming machine, a head, a mam drel rotating in said head, means to guide around said mandrel a preformed strip of which the trailing edge is bent at an angle to the strip body, said guiding means and rotating mandrel forming a convolution of said preformed strip, means to secure the trailing edge of a strip of flexible material under the forward edge of the preformed strip prior to completion of said first convolution, means to guide the forward edge of said flexible strip and insert it under the trailing edge of said preformed strip after the formation of said first convolution, and means to frictionally secure together said strip edges to form tubing continuously.

25. In a tube forming machine, a head, a mandrel rotating in said head, means to guide around said mandrel a preformed strip of which the trailing edge is bent` at an angle to the strip body, said guiding means and rotating mandrel forming a convolution of said preformed strip, means to insert the trailing edge of a strip of flexible material under the forward edge of the preformed strip, and means to secure the aforesaid edges frictionally together prior to the completion of said first convolution, means to guide the forward edge of said flexible strip and insert it under the trailing edge of said preformed strip after the formation of said rst convolution, and

10 means to frictionally secure together said strip edges to form tubing continuously.

26, A tube forming machine as claimed in claim 23 wherein the means to frictionally secure the strips comprises a roll cooperating with the mandrel to press the bent edge of the preformed strip upon the inserted edge of the flexible strip.

27. A tube forming machine as claimed in claim 23 wherein the means to frictionally secure the strips comprises a roll cooperating with the mandrel to press the bent edge of the preformed strip upon the inserted edge of the flexible strip, a shaft on which said roll is mounted, and resilient means to press said roll toward the mandrel.

28. A tube forming machine as claimed in claim 26 having stationary means encircling the mandrel to guide said preformed strip-in forming its second convolution.

ABEL E. CHERNACK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

